Carrying case combined with headrest and shade



March 13, 1956 1.. TENENBLATT CARRYING CASE COMBINED WITH HEADREST AND SHADE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 16, 1952 IN VZZ'A T 012.

LflU/S TEA/ENBLATT ATTORNEY March 13, 1956 1.. TENENBLATT CARRYING CASE COMBINED WITH HEADREST AND SHADE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1952 INVE/Y T OR.

LOU [S TENENBLATT .By 7 w A TTOR/VEY 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 March 13, 9 TENENBLATT CARRYING CASE COMBINED WITH HEADREST AND SHADE Filed Oct. 16, 1952 [Mm/W012. LOUIS IE/VE/YBLATT B7 2- 4 .14 TTUE/VEJ.

United States Patent F CARRYING CASE COMBINED WITH HEADREST AND SHADE This invention relates to improvements in carrying cases and more particularly to a carrying case for use for picnic, outings, and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a new improved carrying case in which food, dishes, blankets, apparel and the like may be carried, in addition the case is provided with a manually adjustable head rest and shade so that same may be utilized for resting and shading the head, and which case has collapsible means which may be readily positioned in place so that the case may be converted into a table.

Another object of this invention is to provide a carrying case which may be converted into a head rest and/ or a table and when closed appears as a conventional carrying case.

Another object is to provide a carrying case with a detachable head rest so that same may be used independently of the case.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses.

In picnicing or in going to the beach it is common practice for a person to carry various necessary objects, such as food, clothes, blankets, collapsible chairs and tables, which necessitates the carrying of several separate packages which is both inconvenient and burdensome. The present invention eliminates these disadvantages and objections by providing a single carrying case which will accommodate the things normally taken along on outings and which in addition may be readily converted to serve as a head rest and also as a table.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my carrying case shown in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the carrying case in open position and showing the head rest and shade in elevated position, with one of the pillows detached.

Fig. 3 is a reduced side view of the structure shown in Fig. 2, but with certain of the parts in a slightly different position.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the carrying case with the legs and support in extended position prior to being turned over to be used as a table.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the carrying case turned over from that of Fig. 4 and in its position for'use as a table. a

Fig. 6 is a perspective view with a section broken away of the slideable drawer contained within the carrying case.

Fig. 7 is a top view of that of Fig. 6 with the canvas covering removed, showing the various compartments and the products and utensils that may be contained and supported within said drawer, and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the removable partition which is supported in the drawer shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The carrying case generally indicated at 10 may be formed of any material such as metal, fiber or the like, and comprises a compartment portion generally indicated at 12 having a side lidor cover 14 which is hinged at the bottom as at 16 to open 180. The cover has a pair ice of straps 18 at the top thereof which are secured to buckles 20 on the top of the case to close same. Secured to the inside of the lid or cover 14 is a rectangular shaped frame 22, made of wood, metal or the like. Supported within said frame, as shown in Fig. 2 is an inverted U-shaped supporting member 24 which is secured to the rectangular frame by means of links 26, the links being secured to the legs of said inverted U-shaped member at a point spaced from the outer ends thereof so that the U-shaped member may be elevated from its flat down position against the wall of the lid to an upright position or at right angles to said lid and supported thereagainst, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which the outer ends engage the cover.

Detachably secured to the inside of the lid 14 within the rectangular frame 22 are two rectangular frames 27 and 29, the upper surface of each of the sides of each frame is provided with a series of steps 28 and 30 respectively, which are engaged by the arms of the head rests presently to be described, and by means of which the head rests are adjusted. Pivotally secured to the lower end of each of the frame members 27 and 29, as at 32 and 33 respectively, are a pair of head rests 34 and 35. Each head rest at its opposite sides supports a pair of arms 36 and 37 respectively, pivotally secured as at 38 and 39. The outer ends of the arms 36 and 37 are adapted to rest in any one of the steps 28 and 30 respectively. There is thus provided two separate head rests, each of which may be independently adjusted at any elevation, as more particularly shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore since the frames 27 and29 are detachably secured to the lid or cover 14, the head rest may be removed as a unit from the case and set on any surface to be used as a. head rest independent of the case.

of suitable fasteners 42. As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the head rests 34 and are shown in elevated or tilted position for use, however, when the carrying case is to be closed the pivoted arms 36 and 37 are disengaged from the steps 28 and 30 and are positioned substantially horizontally with respect to the cover 14 so that the head rests 34 and 35 are flat against the inner surface of the lid or cover 14 to permit the cover to be closed and locked. Straps 23 are secured to the rectangular frame 22 and have snap fasteners at their opposite ends which lock with fastenerson the pillows 40 to keep the head rests as well as the U-shaped supporting members 24 in closed position flat against the inner wall of the cover or lid 14.

Secured to the inside of the top of the case inwardly of the legs to be presently described is a rigid strip 43 to which is pivotally secured as at 44 a shade or awning generally indicated at 46. The shade or awning is formed of a frame member 47 to which is stitched the cloth or canvas covering 49. The pivotal connection 44 is between the rear of the frame 47 and the strip 43. The front corners of the awning are rounded as at 51 to permit it to clear the legs adjacent the bottom of the case as will be presently described. A pair of link members 48 and 50 are respectively pivotally secured to the two opposite inner end walls of the carrying case as at 52 and to the frame of the shade member as at 54. The inner endsof said pairs of links being joined together by a set screw and wing nut 56 so that same may be tightened and loosened to position the shade member in any number of adjusted positions. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the shade member is in open position, that is, positioned to shade the heads of the persons lying on the head rests, however, when the carrying case is closed, the shade is positioned vertically inside the compartment 12.

The inner wall 58 which defines the bottom of the compartment 12 extends a major portion of the length of the compartment, and joins with a wall or partition60 at right angles thereto which extends to the side wall 62 Pillows 40 may be detachably secured to each of said head rests by means of the carrying case to form a compartment 64 which opens in the end wall of the carrying case and a compartment 66 which opens into compartment 12. Compartment 66 has a pair of hinged doors 68 which may be suitably closed by means of any suitable locking means 70.

Contained within compartment 12 are four separate leg members 72a, b, c, and d, all of which are pivotally secured therein as indicated at 74 and which are adapted to hinge outwardly, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Each of said legs has conventional link means 76 for locking same in their outermost extended position so that same may be used to support the case, as shown in Fig. 5, when same is used as a table. In the table position the U shaped frame 24 forms the leg support for the cover 14 and the four legs form the, support for the container portion of the case, thus, a table is provided with two elevations, as shown in Fig. 5. Stop blocks 78 may be provided on the cover 14 which engage the outside of the bottom wall of the carrying case to limit the rearward movement of the cover.

The shade or awning 46 will not interfere with the legs either when the awning is closed or opened. The legs 72a and 7212 are positioned outwardly or exteriorly of the top of the awning so that they may be opened or extended as shown in Figs. 4 and when the awning is closed. The rounded corners 51 of the shade permit the shade to clear the legs 72c and 72d when they are in open or extended position so that the shade may be positioned in closed position or inside the compartment 12. The shade has short straps 79 which engage fastening means 81 on the bottom of the case to lock the shade in closed position inside compartment 12. 'After the shade is secured in closed position the legs 72c and 72d are folded inward or collapsed as shown in Fig. 2. Likewise legs 72a and 72b are collapsed. Suflicient storage room is also provided in compartment 12 for clothes and the like when the parts to be contained therein are in collapsed position. Additional pairs of straps 85 with suitable fastening means 85a are secured within compartment 12 to secure any clothes or blankets packed therein. This permits the shade 46 to be opened without the dropping out of any of the packed material. Supported within compartment 64 is a slidable drawer 80, best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The outer end wall of the drawer supports locking means generally indicated at 82 which are operated by a knob 84 and which locks the drawer to said case. Rotation of the knob 84 in the opposite direction will withdraw said locking means within the end wall of the drawer to permit the drawer to be slid out of the compartment. locking means may be used in lieu of that shown. The drawer 80 has a pair of spaced longitudinal removable partitions, 86 and 88 and a removable transverse partition 90. These partitions divide the drawer into several compartments designated generally by the numerals A, B, C and D. Compartment A may be used for supporting dishes, drinking cups and the like. Condiment containers may be supported on the walls thereof by elastic straps. Compartments B and C may be used for supporting boxes in which the food is contained, and Compartment D may be used for supporting cans of food. Each of these compartments has separate locking straps, all generally indicated by the numeral 92 which may be locked by suitable fasteners to retain within their respective compartments the objects heretofore enumerated. In addition the partitions 86 and 90 have straps 94 in which may be supported knives, forks and the like as shown in Fig. 8. A removable covering 96 is secured to the top of the drawer to cover the drawer and said cover is retained in place by suitable straps 98, as shown in Fig. 6. The drawer, shown in Figs. 6 and 7' is contained'within the compartment 64 and extends up to the transverse wall 60. The compartment 66 which is accessible through the hinged doors 68 may be used to contain other objects d'esired'to be carried. If desired compartments 64 and Any other suitable 66 may be transposed so that the drawer is positioned on the opposite end of the case.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the carrying case when closed may be carried in the conventional manner by means of the handle 99, similar to any other type of carrying case, and that food and other objects may be thus carried, however, when it is desired to use the carrying case as a head rest, the carrying case is placed on the ground and the cover 14 is opened to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Each head rest 34 may be independently adjusted to any desired elevation. In addition the shade or awning 46 may be opened to shade the head and upper portions of the body. If it is desired to use same as a table, the head rests are lowered and locked fiat in their position against the cover 14 by means of the strap 23. The legs 72c and 72d are opened or extended to permit the shade to clear same and the shade 46 is positioned within the compartment 12 and locked by strap 29. The foldable legs 72a and 72b are then positioned in extended position, with the U-shaped leg member 24 likewise extended as shown in Fig. 4'. The case is then inverted as shown in Fig. 5 to be used as a table. Nothing within compartment 12 will fall out and the head rests will likewise be secured adjacent the cover 14.

As previously explained, the slideable drawer 80, which is used to contain the necessary food equipment and utensils may be withdrawn from the compartment 64. Compartment 66 is separate and distinct from the drawer so that access thereto may be obtained by opening the doors 68, said compartment may be used for storaging various items, such as thermos bottles and the like. If desired the head rests may be detached and removed from the case and used separately and independently of the case.

I have thus provided a carrying case which may be carried as any conventional case and which by its construction may be opened to provide the features heretofore described.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A carrying case including a container portion having a rear side wall, a partition within said container portion parallel with said rear side wall dividing said container portion into an inner and outer compartment, a cover member hinged to said carrying case and forming a closure for said outer compartment, an adjustable head rest pivotally secured on said cover with the pivoting being adjacent the outer end of said cover member and adapted to be adjusted to various angular positions when said cover is opened, said cover when in open position for use of said head rest adapted to be horizontally disposed with said container portion vertically disposed rearwardly of said head rest, said adjustable head rest adapted to be positioned substantially fiat adjacent said cover to confine said head rest within said outer compartment adjacent said cover when said cover is closed.

2. A carrying case including a container portion having a rear side wall, a partition within said container portion parallel with said rear side wall dividing said container portion into an inner and outer compartment, a cover member hinged to saidcarrying case and forming a closure for said outer compartment, a head rest pivotally secured on said cover and adapted to be moved to an inclined position when said cover is opened, said cover when in open position for use of said head rest adapted to .be horizontally disposed with said container portion vertically disposed rearwardlyof said head rest, said head rest adapted to be positioned substantially fiat adjacent said cover to confine said head rest within said outer compartment when said cover is closed.

3. A carrying case including a container portion having a rear side wall, a partition within said container portion parallel with said rear side wall dividing said container portion into an inner and outer compartment, 21 cover member hinged to said carrying case and forming a closure for said outer compartment, a head rest pivotally secured on said cover and adapted to be moved to an inclined position when said cover is opened, said cover when in open position for use of said head rest adapted to be horizontally disposed with said container portion vertically disposed rearwardly of said head rest, said head rest adapted to be positioned substantially flat adjacent said cover to confine said head rest within said outer compartment when said cover is closed, a shade member secured to said case adjacent said outer compartment and adapted when opened to be positioned over said head rest and when said case is closed to be confined in said outer compartment adjacent said head rest.

4. A carrying case including a container portion having a rear side wall, a partition within said container por tion parallel with said rear side wall dividing said container portion into an inner and outer compartment, a cover hinged to said carrying case and forming a closure for said outer compartment, a frame secured to said cover, said frame provided with a series of steps, a head rest pivotally secured to said frame, said head rest having an arm adapted to engage said steps for adjustably sup- I porting said head rest in a plurality of angular positions when said cover is opened, said cover when in open posi tion for use of said head rest adapted to be horizontally.

disposed with said container portion vertically disposed rearwardly of said head rest, said head rest and arm adapted to be positioned substantially flat adjacent said cover to confine said head rest within said outer compartment when said cover is closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 204,492 Kaplan June 4, 1878 1,514,202 Davenport Nov. 4, 1924 r 2,070,484 Jones Feb. 9, 1937 2,160,069 Hawkins May 30, 1939 2,260,478 Peter Oct. 28, 1941 2,264,744 Dunnam Dec. 2, 1941 2,277,435 Howe Mar. 24, 1942 2,351,610 Hamberg June 20, 1944 2,373,106 Doux Apr. 10, 1945 2,429,795 Blanchard Oct. 28, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 28,323 Australia Aug. 8, 1930 456,325 Italy Apr. 1, 1950 

